GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND RELATIONS.--Bipinnate; on anterior surface of tibiotarsus deep to M. tibialis anticus; bounded laterally by M. peroneus brevis; lateral edge usually slightly fused to proximal half of latter; medial surface fused to aponeurosis of M. peroneus longus. ORIGIN.--The muscle arises fleshily from the lateral surface of the inner cnemial crest, from the rotular crest between the cnemial crests (deep to the attachment of M. tibialis anticus), from the basal (medial) half of the anterior surface of the outer cnemial crest, and from the anterior surface of the tibiotarsus (except the distal part) between the anteromedial and anterolateral intermuscular lines; proximal to the anterolateral intermuscular line, the origin usually extends almost to the lateral edge of the tibiotarsus. INSERTION.--The ossified tendon extends along the mid-anterior surface of the distal part of the tibiotarsus deep to the tendon of M. tibialis anticus and passes under the supratendinal bridge, becoming flexible and widening slightly as it crosses the anterior surface of the intratarsal joint; the tendon narrows again and passes through a small but strong retinaculum on the anterior surface (medial to midline) of the proximal part of the tarsometatarsus; the retinaculum is immediately proximal and medial to the insertion of M. tibialis anticus. The tendon ossifies again as it passes down the anterior surface of the tarsometatarsus and bifurcates near the midpoint of the latter; the lateral branch soon bifurcates again; of these three branches, which are ossified for some distance, the lateral one passes onto the dorsal surface of digit IV, the middle one passes onto the dorsolateral surface of digit III, and the medial one subdivides (at the level of the trochleae) into three branches--one passing onto the dorsal surface of digit III and two passing onto the dorsal surface of digit II. At the level of the metatarsophalangeal joints, all of these tendons are interconnected by strong sheets of connective tissue and it is often difficult exactly to delimit the tendons at this level. On the digits, tough connective tissue binds the tendons to the phalanges; this is most pronounced at the interphalangeal joints. The tendons are distinct on the first phalanx of each digit, but are often poorly defined farther distally. On _digit IV_ the tendon subdivides into branches that attach to the proximal ends of the ungual, fourth, third, and (usually) second phalanges. On _digit III_ the lateralmost tendon bifurcates, with one branch attaching to the ungual phalanx and the other to the proximal end of the third phalanx; the medial tendon attaches to the proximal end of the second phalanx. On _digit II_ the originally medial tendon passes underneath and then lateral to the other tendon and attaches to the ungual phalanx; the other tendon attaches to the proximal end of the second phalanx.